Jamia Millia Islamia announces plans to hold student union elections after a gap of nearly 20 years. (Img: jmi.ac.in)
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia has announced plans to hold student union elections after nearly two decades but the decision has failed to end protests on campus. Students have questioned the administration’s order, demanding a definite election schedule, written assurances and the resignation of the university’s Proctor.
In an order dated October 26, the university administration stated that elections would take place 15 days after the students’ union constitution receives approval. The elected union was dissolved by the administration in 2006.
However, the order did not specify when the constitution would be approved, leaving the election schedule uncertain. Protesters said the announcement did not provide a concrete roadmap for restoring an elected student body.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said Jamia Registrar Professor Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi reached the campus at around 4.30 am on Monday to hold talks with the protesting students. He handed them the university’s order and appealed to them to end the agitation, saying their concerns had been addressed.
The association, however, described the announcement as ambiguous, arguing that key concerns remained unresolved. Students reiterated their demand for the Proctor’s resignation and insisted on clear written commitments from the university.
The administration’s order also revoked suspension orders and show-cause notices issued to students during the agitation. In addition, it decided to set up a committee to look into the alleged conduct of campus security personnel during the agitation.
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As part of the agreement, the protesting students were asked to apologise publicly during a press conference over remarks, actions and social media posts allegedly targeting the university administration. They were also directed to delete the posts immediately, with the university set to monitor compliance.
Although the order stated that the protest would end immediately, students maintained that the announcement did not adequately address their demands. They said the agitation would continue until the administration provided clear written assurances.
The approval of the union constitution remains the central issue, with students seeking a definite timeline for elections after years without an elected representative body.
